Shattila Ekadashi in 2018, 2019

About Shattila Ekadashi :

Shattila Ekadashi also known as Tilda Ekadashi is a Hindu holy day celebrated on the 11th lunar day (Ekadashi Tithi) of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) in the Hindu Calendar month Pausha or Magh (as per North Indian Calendar) which in the Gregorian calendar falls in December or January.

Shattila Ekadashi is a highly auspicious day dedicated to worship of Lord Vishnu to ensure that you never feel shortage of food, wealth, and prosperity.

The name of Shattila Ekadasi indicates about the food item that holds the maximum importance on this day i.e. Til – Sesame Seed.

Consumption of Til or Sesame Seeds, Donation or Charity of Sesame Seeds or even bathing with water having some sesame seeds in it, is considered highly auspicious on this day.

Shattila Ekadashi Story / Vrat Katha :

According to legends, once upon a time there was an old lady who had lots of wealth. She used to perform a lot of charity for the poor and needy people in form of offerings like clothes, jewelry, and other precious items. However she never offered them food or grains.

One day Lord Krishna appeared disguised as a poor beggar in front of that rich lady and asked for food. On the continuous begging for food, the old lady got angry and she put a ball of clay in his pot. The beggar blessed her and left.

When the old lady entered her house, she saw that all the food items that she had cooked had turned into clay. Even the fruits, rice and vegetables had become clay. She had lots of wealth and money, but all that was complete waste because she was not able to eat anything, as all food items would turn into clay. As the days passed, she became weaker and weaker.

She began praying to Lord Krishna for repentance and soon Lord Krishna appeared in her dreams and reminded her of the incident. Lord Krishna reminded the lady that the biggest daan or donation is Anna Daan i.e., feeding the hungry, which she had been ignoring.

Lord Krishna further told the lady to observe a fast on Shattila Ekadasi and offer food to poor people on that day, to get rid of all her sins.

She observed the fast of Shattila Ekadashi and offered Til and food to the poor, after which everything returned to normal.

Thereafter, the old lady kept her doors open for any hungry passing by her way.

Shattila Ekadashi Puja Vidhi :

The Puja Vidhi performed during Shattila Ekadashi is similar to that followed during other Ekadashi’s. On this day people observe a strict fast which is broken on the next day during the parana time. Those who are unable to keep a whole day fast keep a partial fast consuming fruits and milk and avoid eating rice and other grains for the whole day. Consumption of Til or Sesame Seeds is considered auspicious on this Ekadashi day.

People worship Lord Vishu on this day and chant Vishnu Sahastranaam. Special Puja’s are also performed dedicated to Lord Vishnu in various temple.

Shattila Ekadashi Mantra :

You can chant any one of these Vishnu Mantra and Slokas on this auspicious day of Shattila Ekadashi – Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya Mantra, Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram or Vishnu Ashtottaram